telling YA stories

The Ugly Tree—A Short Story By Dana Romanin

“She fell off an ugly tree.” My best friend Sam slapped my back and gestured toward a girl walking toward the front of our red-bricked school.

I glanced at the girl. I didn’t recognize her. She must be new. “What are you talking about?”

“You know … she was at the top of the ugly tree then fell, hitting all the branches.”

“I’ve never heard anyone butcher a saying worse than you.” I rolled my eyes and started toward the entrance feeling the weight of my Algebra test with each step. I was so not ready. Jackrabbits pounced in my stomach at the thought taking it.

The girl stopped before going inside and turned to look at the parking lot. Her eyes darted around, like she was looking for someone. She had long, brown hair and I wouldn’t say she was thin, but she wasn’t fat either. Her face was round and had the telltale signs of an epic acne battle. I rubbed my jaw. I knew how that battle went. It was vicious.

My hands were frozen. This winter had been harsh and the bright sun did nothing to break through the chill of a January in Virginia.

When we got closer to the door, Sam leaned close and whispered, “Why don’t we ever get hot new girls? That one is, at best, friend material. Nothing more there.”

My stomach lurched. Did she hear him? Sam was an idiot. He may have been the school’s best basketball player, but that couldn’t make up for his big mouth.

The girl’s eyes cast to the ground before looking up and meeting Sam’s then my eyes. She tilted her head then smiled. “Hello. I’m Josie. Maybe you can help me. I was supposed to meet a friend to show me around, but y’all will do.”

“Sure,” I said. Was she serious?

I opened the door and Sam started to go in ahead of Josie. I grabbed him by the collar and jerked him back. “Be a gentlemen, Sam.”

“Seriously, Sam. I’m starting to second guess my decision about making you my friend.” Josie stepped through the door.

“Huh?” Sam followed Josie into the dark school hallway. Seriously. Couldn’t they choose a better color than gray for the walls? It was so depressing.

She turned and waited for me to come inside as well. “I told you I was waiting for friends to show me around.” She looped her arm in mine then Sam’s. “And I choose you two. So c’mon. Show me around.”

This girl was…kind of amazing. I’d almost forgotten about my Algebra test. She was a miracle worker if she was able to help calm those jackrabbits.

She started to steer us left. “That leads to the cafeteria. We need to go this way.” I tipped my chin toward the opposite hall.

“Look. If we’re going to be friends, you need to learn something about me. I need my caffeine first thing in the morning.”

Sam chuckled. “I thought you didn’t know your way around.”

“Are you kidding me? I knew this had to be the way to the cafeteria. Even a fish could follow that smell.” She pulled us further down the hall toward the cafeteria.

“Well, actually some fish like sharks have a very keen sense of smell,” I said before I could stop myself. Why did I have to be such a know-it-all?